Rage Toward the Light by Long After Midnight

Long After Midnight
Rage Toward the Light
Independent

Grand Rapids-based Long After Midnight has churned out a trickle of ambitious songs and EPs that have built momentum to this moment.” Their first full rager, Rage Toward the Light, is an interesting blend of industrialized rock that is fused with pop elements and a foundation in metal.

The band begins their adventurous exploration with a metaphysical kaleidoscope of industrial samples and introspective beats until it explodes into an experience where “The 10th Realm” immerses you into power heavy metal riffs that consume you. You can feel the ‘90s industrial influences from Nine Inch Nails to Pitchshifter to infectious time signatures that possess the raw energy you would hear on a Rollins Band album. And to have T.J. Miller from Still Remains contributing to the song only adds to the track’s impact.

This all sets the stage for the rest of the album. “Red Flag” sounds like you are being haunted inside an abandoned warehouse. The echo effects in the vocals are riveting! “Desiccated” takes a similar approach as the band bangs out an intense array of metal creativity.

I want to point to the title track that surprisingly shines as the album’s ballad. It’s a sincere approach to thoughtful songwriting. The band meticulously uses guitar notes that tug at the soul surrounded by the machine that twists and pulls through the song. It’s a wonderful contradiction that is incredibly effective and serves as one of the underdog moments in the album. As much as I love Long After Midnight’s heaviness, I keep gravitating to this song the most.

But this also leads to the creative prowess of “Shadow of a Doubt,” featuring hip hop artist Tony Kappo at the end. The layering is incredible as the band flows through chest bursting pop into the metal muscle of the band’s signature sound and then with the grit of Kappo’s artistry.

“Fateweaver I” and “Fateweaver II” both open the band’s palette to experiment and see where their creativity takes them. At this moment, you feel like you know the band. For a band at the beginning of their prime, it sure feels like they are seasoned.